I am not the grinch. I do not plug my ears when I hear Christmas music or sit outside my house loathing others as they prepare for one of the biggest holidays of the year. There are so many reasons why Christmas is the best holiday of the year.

First off (and I think anyone can back me up on this one), during the holidays Starbucks comes out with their best drinks. Team Peppermint Mocha all the way to the other side of the country. Now that Starbucks sells the packets of the mix for their Christmas drinks, there is no doubt in my mind that is going to be half of my Christmas wishlist.

Second, you have all the super cool light shows and Christmas events that churches and schools put together. It is a really good way to get with the people you love and have a good time. In addition to that, holiday season lets people spend time with their families and that time matters the most. When we miss holiday events we are pretty upset, and I am pretty sure there are a handful of students out there that can relate.

One of my favorite events that happens during the holidays is ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. Every single year my family and I spend all 25 Days having dinner together and watching whatever is on schedule for that night. My favorite movie is Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” I am 18 and still I would cry if I missed a holiday movie.

One of the most important and special things to me about the holidays is the opportunity to give back. Paying it forward during this time of year feels good. We have to keep in mind that there are some people out there–parents, guardians, grandparents–watching us buy gifts for our loved ones, though they cannot afford to buy the same for the ones they love.

Last year I did a charity event with my stepfather’s church. I watched people pray, cry and thank God. That experience taught me that the true meaning of Christmas is to give back to the community.

There is no greater feeling than making someone cry out of joy because you helped them put gifts under their tree for their little ones to unwrap on Christmas morning.